Values and human interrelationships with nature

People in Nature (PiN) aims to improve our understanding of the interrelationships between people and nature, focussing on the material use of nature by people and recognising that use is embedded within worldviews that include deep-seated cultural norms, values, and understandings. PiN also considers symbolic interrelationships with nature expressed through cultural narratives, language and traditions, to ensure the inclusion of diverse understandings of sacred and spiritual aspects of nature and our relationship with natural resources.

This chapter looks at how ‘value’ and values are defined and categorised, and whether different ways of looking at
values can contribute to a better understanding of how humans relate to nature and make decisions about how
they use and manage nature. It addresses three key topics – definitions of value, categorisations of value (as anthropocentric or non-anthropocentric), and different perspectives that provide insights into types of value. The chapter also provides recommendations about the contribution of different perspectives to the values considered in PiN assessments and programmes.